Neighborhood Oct 2018

The changing seasons of NC have kept me from longing for the Beautiful AZ sunset/sunrises that I so loved. I’m still in awe of the beauty of the color change. This is my first encounter of four seasons. 73 years of living in the SW desert, I only knew hot or warm, and not much of any color change.

My youngest great grandchild of four just turned five-pretty much going on 16- so what a wonderful surprise that two grandchildren announced they were expecting! They are only 3 weeks apart. We can’t wait to meet them!

Monsoon season will be here soon! Can't wait for all the clouds to roll in! Never bought a new camera-I usually buy one once a year due to dropping and breaking. This one will take all blurry pictures for a while, then lets me have a round of good ones. Go figure...
I have been busy doing "projects" lots and lots of them! I sold -gave away really- my little rent house-remember the one Hubby worked so hard on....Took the first offer soon after his death, just to relieve me of the stress and cost of it all.  Anyway I used all the money on my home. I was able to repair much need repairs and also a few "wants" done. All this keeps me from having to face the death of my sister and Hubby. I just stay mad at Sis for dying and keep so busy there is not any time for grief. I will deal with it all later I tell myself..... And another thing... I am going to be a flower granny at my grand daughter's wedding in Oct! So......another diet started and have to lose that 40 pounds that just never has come off  but this time it will!! I have 3 months to do it starting today, well I stared last year, but, I always wait till closer to the date. that's the pattern I have always followed and it never works-but I always have hope for the next time.

My New Life

After a three year hiatus from blogging, I had an urge to start it up again.
So many changes have happened in my life in such a short time. After Hubby passed away, I decided to update my beloved home of 26 years. The air conditioner was still working, but being as old as the house I had it replaced along with the leaking roof. I had the oak kitchen cabinets professionally painted white. The inside and outside of the house painted, some lighting, and fans replaced.
 I hadn’t ever been afraid in my home before, but being all alone for the first time in my life, I felt a sudden fear. So I had two sets of custom security French doors installed. The yard was becoming hard for me to mow and the sprinkler system needed to be repaired so I installed artificial grass- best move of my life!. I replaced the dining room carpet with wood flooring. With a surprise check from a niece, I added a beautiful library with a rolling ladder. I dedicated it to my recently deceased sister who also had a love of books. A few pieces of furniture thruout the house and I felt I could live there forever. I loved my home, before the redo and certainly afterwards. I would jump on the library ladder and take a ride  whenever I felt the urge which was often! I loved looking thru the beautiful screen door and seeing the perfectly groomed yard. Remember the view? I have hundreds of photos of the sunrises over the lake. Perfection! And then............ sitting on my new swivel, rocker, recliner, I started feeling lonely. That was the first time I ever felt the emotion. Even thought I had everything I wanted or needed, it just wasn’t enough. I kept telling myself how perfect my life was, I had just enough needed to be happy. But something was missing-family was missing . So......
My beloved home was sold and a move across the county, a home purchased all within a four month period! My head was swimming, but it was so exciting. I’m only a few minutes from all my family. Fourth generation Desert Rats and all have moved to this area. Unbelievable don’t you think?
I’m still wondering how it all happened.......

Arizona Springtime

 Spring time in Arizona is my idea of heaven on earth! It has been long lasting this year. Today is only 66~small amount of rain. It won't last though it always hits 100 in May and keeps climbing through July.

Blooming in my garden....Red Aloe

Santa Rita

Shirley Poppy

Torch Cactus

 

Thompson grape

 

Snapdragon~petunia 

Artificial Grass~~~best decision of all time! Wish I would have done this years ago.

 

 

SAUDADE

Saudade= where I am at the moment. Trying to find my place in my world. Saudade. If I ever have a desire for a tattoo, this is the word that I would use. I guess I would place it on the ring finger- it's about the only place that hasn't  or won't sag as the rest of  my body has in the past few years. Sau-da-de~Is the nostalgia when you are missing/longing/yearning for something or someone that is gone (or happened), a lingering memory....I am not in a depression-but that feeling is always hanging around. I feel sad that my Sister didn't see her only Grandchild get married or become a great Grand mother.That Hubby also missed so much already. Soon I will experience being alone in my home. Children will have moved on and another change that I will have to deal with. In a funny way I am looking forward to finding out just how I will handle it all.....

POTTED MEMORIES

                                                             Fall day at the lake

The date palm has been in this pot for over 5 years. We named him Walter Rose.  Before the transplant, WR was just a sprout growing next to his 20+ feet family. SIL rescued him in 1994, after the sale of the family farm.  He kept it in a bucket on his side yard, kept it watered and always wondered why it never would grow. Not one to throw away any plant struggling to stay alive, my SIL never gave up on Walter. Before the sale of his home, he transplanted him into this pot. Seems that was what it needed!  He gave it to me after the sale of his home.
 The first date palms planted on the Farm was in 1919. There were about 8 palms lined in front of the orchard, in front of the family home. Spending a lot my childhood on the farm, date season was the favorite time of the year. First date picking/eating was September. As long as there were dates on the tree and the birds were kept at bay, we were all in date heaven!  When the trees were to tall to climb, we would line the ground with old irrigation tarps, shake the trees until all the ripe ones would fall. We always saved just enough for Grandmother to make date desserts.  Now I pay $9.99 per lb. at our local health food store...missing the old days.....

SADNESS ABOUNDS

                                                                 
                                                                On Sept 4, 2014, I lost my husband of 38 years. He fought the battle of cancer for 5 years. It was bittersweet, losing him, but wanting his suffering to stop...... A well attended memorial, he would have been humbled by it all. Don was the only person I have ever known to always speak the truth, he never wore a mask, and he was what you saw. A man of many talents, a decent man, but most important, he had common sense. I loved him and he loved me.
                                                                 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 11Timothy 3-7